Airbus Helicopters performed the first flight with the second prototype of the H160, Airbus' new medium-class helicopter. This model is distinguished by being equipped with a Turbomeca Arrano French-made turboprop engine, which generates up to 1300 hp in flight.
The H160 program will now proceed to validate characteristics with the two available prototypes, which are equipped with different engines. So far, the PT1, the first H160 to fly, has flown 75 hours and reached a top speed of 325km/h.
“The development program will have 5 models of the H160; two helicopters in final version and three prototypes flying will be contributing to entry into service by 2018. ", added Bernard Fujarski, head of the H160 Program.
The third prototype will make its first flight later this year, and will increase Airbus' effort to certify the rotary aircraft with EASA until 2018. The program has 10 more Turbomeca Arrano engines on the test bench, where Airbus Helicopters together with to Snecma can test all kinds of usage situations.
